Holy [BLEEP] The New Penny Dreadful Trailer Is Unsettling

Well if the previously released teasers and trailers for Showtime’s upcoming genre drama, Penny Dreadful weren't enough to spook you, allow us to introduce you to another — one that’s sure to make you mutter and yelp things you’d be less than inclined to expose your grandparents to, if they're the type that are faint of heart. Because, hooo lawdy, does this show pump that creep factor up to eleven, my friends. To have a Jessie Spano moment for a second: we’re so excited, we’re so scared!

At the Television Critics Association winter tour, the network unveiled a more R-rated version of the above trailer in addition to an official premiere date: Sunday, May 11 at 10PM. So mark your calendars now, horror fans.

Of course, it’s hard to say where the psychosexual horror show (say that three times fast) will go, considering the currently overstuffed fantastical television line-up. On the minus side, the series follows some of the most famous (and infamous) characters to come out of Victorian England, including Frankenstein’s monster, Dorian Gray, and Dracula. Reimagining classic literary characters? Yeah, been there, done that, admittedly a little bit tired of it.

But on the plus side, the series has some seriously stellar cred on its side, including a cast worth getting excited over: Josh Hartnett (With a beard! Which is weird), Timothy Dalton, and Eva Green are all set to star. In addition, Reeve Carney, Rory Kinnear, Harry Treadaway, Danny Sapani, and — perhaps most excitingly for nerds who love British television as much as the author — Billie Piper of Doctor Who and Secret Diary of a Call Girl fame, are also on board. In addition, the series’ creators aren’t exactly novices, either: written and executive produced by John Logan (Hugo, The Aviator, Gladiator), the series is also executive produced by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes. The first two will even be directed by J.A. Bayona, who helmed 2012’s much-acclaimed The Impossible. That’s some serious pedigree: so it’s safe to say we can expect the cinematic.

We are nothing if not the eternal optimist, so we'll remain hopeful our excitement about the series’ potential is matched by its actual quality. The only annoying part is that we'll have to wait until May 11th to find out the answer. Damn you, Showtime!